This was our first venture abroad for a Summer Camp and the idea took shape over a few pints in the Hesketh Arms after a wide game on Ashurst Beacon.

John Hulmes took on most of the organisation for travel using British Rail to get us there and back and I dealt with the programme, menu and equipment needed as well as sorting out a few logistics (such as how many bottles of wine we would be able to bring back in the lads rucksacks).

The final plan was that Paul Ramage, his wife and myself would go in advance of the main body in a transit van loaded with all the tents, equipment, food and rucksacks. It was quite a squeeze but we managed to fit everything that we needed in. The main body would travel by train and ferry to arrive at Wiltz on the Saturday afternoon as we were due to arrive on the Saturday morning.

The theory was that we would have as much of the tentage up as possible before the main party arrived and have a meal on as well.

The van was very slow going up some of those Ardenne Hills and the lads made better time than anticipated so we had only put up about a third of the canvas when they arrived. With their help the camp was soon completed and tea on the go. We were camped at the bottom of a hill to the South of the town in Camp des Pidgeon which was basically a field with a tap by the entrance gate. After a long journey we thought that the scouts would be tired out and the younger ones were as they were asleep by 10.30pm. Unfortunately for us the older Scouts had got their second wind and set off on a fact finding mission around the town. We eventually found them about 12.30a.m. in a bar at the far end of town having a schnapps drinking contest with some locals! After we'd made them buy us a drink in punishment we went back to camp.

Each day had been arranged so that two groups were out of the camp visiting somewhere - (trips to Berdorf, Vianden, Clervaux , Mullerthall and Echternach were made - on foot or in the transit) whilst the third group stayed in camp to act as duty patrol and make sure that the evening meal was ready. This gave them opportunities to meet other Scouts who were camping nearby. One Scout who shall be nameless (Richard Southworth)! Took it upon himself to empty a full bottle of Martini down his throat whilst on this duty and was in a bit of a sorry state when we arrived back at tea-time. Needless to say he was confined to camp for a further day for not saving us any!

The whole camp went on two visits together whilst we were their, namely a day trip to Luxembourg City and a visit to Bastogne and the American War Memorial and museum both of which were enjoyed to the full.